Airport bridge and lift

Abstract

A lift is coupled to the outer cab of a telescoping bridge. The lift has a carriage that can be moved by a cable and a motor upward or downward and which includes a platform that has sensing means for controlling the motor for stopping downward movement of the carriage when it engages the ground. An electrically operated safety catch is provided to prevent the carriage from falling in the event the cable breaks. A safety system is provided which prevents the bridge from moving if the carriage is not in the up position and its door is not closed.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A system for use for the passage of persons and items between an airport building and an airplane, comprising: 
       a walkway comprising;  
       a passage means supported for rotation about a vertical axis next to said building;  
       a cab having a first port adapted to be coupled to a port of an airplane for the passage of persons;  
       a plurality of sections with each section having a rear end and a front end with a passage formed therethrough;  
       said plurality of sections comprising a rear section having its rear end coupled to said passage means and a forward section having its forward end coupled to said cab;  
       each of said sections being telescopically coupled to an adjacent section with said front end of said section adjacent to said forward section being movable within said forward section, such that said walkway from said passage means may be expanded and contracted;  
       said cab having a second port for the passage of luggage and other items;  
       a housing coupled to the exterior of said cab with an opening located in line with said second port;  
       said housing having a lower opening;  
       a carriage supported for movement in said housing for supporting luggage and other items;  
       means for lowering said carriage downward to the ground and upward into said housing by way of said lower opening for transporting luggage and other items between said cab and the ground.  
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein: 
       said housing comprises an upper end and a lower end with surrounding side walls located between said upper and lower ends defining an interior upper zone extending between said upper and lower ends;  
       said second port extends into said housing above said lower end in communication with said interior zone;  
       support structure coupled to said housing for supporting said housing including said lower end above and spaced from the ground;  
       said lower end of said housing having said lower opening formed therethrough;  
       said carriage being supported for movement between said interior zone and the ground by way of said lower opening, for carrying luggage and other items between said interior zone and the ground;  
       said carriage comprising a plurality of leg members having lower ends;  
       a platform for supporting luggage and other items, coupled to said lower ends of said leg members by coupling means such that said platform is located below said lower ends of said leg members and can engage the ground when said carriage is lowered to the ground  
       said lower ends of said leg members and said platform may move toward and away from each other respectively;  
       an electric motor;  
       an electrical switch coupled to said carriage at a position to be controlled by said platform when said platform engages the ground for shutting off said motor.  
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , comprising: 
       a winch coupled to said housing;  
       a flexible line having a first end coupled to said carriage and a second end coupled to said winch;  
       said electric motor being a reversible motor for rotating said winch in a first direction to lower said carriage and for rotating said winch in a second direction for raising said carriage;  
       a safety assembly for preventing said carriage from falling in the event said flexible line breaks;  
       said safety assembly comprising a movable catch;  
       spring means for normally urging said catch in a first position to prevent said carriage from falling;  
       a solenoid for moving said catch to a second position to allow said carriage to move from an upper position to a lower position;  
       said catch being movable from said second position to said first position by said carriage when said carriage is moved upward to an upper position.  
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , comprising: 
       an electrical system for moving said bridge;  
       a door for opening and closing said second port;  
       circuitry including a first switch for sensing when said door is in a closed position and a second switch for sensing when said carriage is in an up position and for allowing said electrical system to move said bridge only if said door is in a closed position and said carriage is in an up position.  
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein: 
       said means for lowering said carriage downward to the ground and upward into said housing by way of said lower opening comprises: a winch coupled to said housing; a flexible line having a first end coupled to said carriage and a second end coupled to said winch; and an electric motor for operating said winch to move said carriage upward and downward;  
       said carriage comprises a plurality of leg members having lower ends; and  
       a platform for supporting luggage and other items, coupled to said lower ends of said leg members by coupling means such that said platform is located below said lower ends of said let members and can engage the ground when said carriage is lowered to the ground;  
       said lower ends of said leg members and said platform may move toward and away from each other;  
       an electrical switch coupled to said carriage at a position to be controlled by said platform when said platform engages the ground for shutting off said motor.